Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Please continue to let me know what you think. Next update - tonight.
Ryan hated the looks he was getting, he knew people were judging him from how he acted towards his sister but he didn't care, because they didn't know what was happening. He walked into the canteen and wasn't surprised when a few heads turned in his direction, he rolled his eyes and headed to the vending machine. He looked through his bag till he found his wallet and opened it, he frowned when he saw it was empty.
"Hey," Ryan turned around quickly when he saw Troy standing behind him. "Mind if I..." He gestured to the machine.
"No sure man, go ahead," Ryan smiled, he quickly patted his pockets hoping to feel some form of money in them but sighed when he found none. He smiled at Troy and then went to leave but Troy grabbed hold of his wrist.
"You want me to get you something?" Troy asked.
"No, it's fine." Ryan smiled.
"It's okay, I'll get you something. I leave my money at home all the time." Troy smiled, even though he had seen Ryan's empty wallet, but he didn't want to let Ryan that. "You can pay me back some time."
"Thanks." Ryan smiled.
"So what can I get you?" Troy asked with a grin. When Ryan replied that he wanted a chocolate bar and a bag of crisps he was surprised, Ryan normally ate healthy food he couldn't remember if he had ever seen Ryan eat chocolate.
"Thanks, I'll pay you back," Ryan promised.
"Don't worry about it." Troy smiled. "Coming to sit with us?"
"I was thinking about just going some where else." Ryan replied. "I feel as though everyone is staring at me."
"Want company?" Troy asked.
"What about your friends?" Ryan asked gesturing to Chad, and everyone waiting for them. "And Gabriella."
"I'd rather sit with you," Troy sighed. He couldn't face Gabriella at the moment. Everything just felt a little weird in his head. Ryan smiled and they headed out of the canteen. Troy followed Ryan up the stairs to the roof. He looked out at his home town around them and couldn't help but feel as though nothing else mattered, everything that was going on in his head seemed so small now.
They sat on one of the benches, Ryan sat cross legged his feet tucked under his body. He looked even more pale now in the sun, and Troy just drooled mentally. "So, do you want to talk about it?" Troy asked casually.
"Nothing to talk about," Ryan sighed.
"It's cool if you want, I just figured you might want a friend to talk to, or just have someone to listen."
"I don't need sympathy, Troy." Ryan said sharply.
"I wasn't going to give you any sympathy, Ryan. I was just trying to be a friend." Ryan looked over at Troy who looked at him with a sincere eye.
"Sorry," Ryan sighed. "Just been a hell of a summer."
"What happened?" Troy asked gently.
"I came out to my parents, they threw me out." Ryan laughed bitterly. "They were okay always knowing but never knowing you know. But when I decide to be honest with them, honest with myself I get disowned." Troy could tell that his mouth had fallen open and he knew it probably wasn't the most attractive thing in the world.
"Where are you staying?" Troy asked.
"At my boyfriends," Ryan said but didn't smile. "For now anyway."
"What do you mean for now?" Troy asked genuinely interested.
"Well things aren't easy for us. We have no money, he works all the time and I never see him. He's also cheating on me too, but that's a different story." Ryan looked at Troy and smiled at his expression. "I'm just doing everything he wants so I have a place to stay." Ryan laughed at his words. "I sound like a cheap whore."
"You're not," Troy smiled. "If you ever need a place to stay, Ryan. We've a spare room. And my parents like you, they'll understand."
"I wouldn't want to impose on you Troy." Ryan smiled. "Thanks for the offer though."
"Think about it though, please." Ryan just nodded. "So what's up with the new 'emo' look than?"
"I wanted to wash away everything Evans about me." Ryan shrugged. "What don't you think it looks good?"
"No you definitely look good," Troy said and then blushed at what he said. Ryan smiled warmly at him.
"Enough about me," Ryan sighed. "What's going on with you?"
"Nothing, I mean basketball has played a huge part as ever in my life this summer. I keep fighting with Gabriella though."
"How come?" Ryan asked, he was actually surprised at how easily Troy had admitted it to him. Though at the same time he was surprised at how easy it was for him to tell Troy what was going on with him, well at least a bit of it. He still had half of the story to tell.
"I don't know, just not clicking like we used to I guess." Troy shrugged.
"Do you want to break up with her?" Ryan asked.
"I don't know, we've been through a lot." Troy sighed. "It would seem like a waste to just give it up." Ryan thought about it for a second and looked at Troy who looked slightly desperate for a way out of his situation.
"Do you want my advice?" Ryan asked.
"Please." Troy laughed. "I love Chad and all but he's not the guy to go to talk to girls."
"And I am?" Ryan laughed. Troy couldn't help but fall in love with Ryan's laugh. "Anyway. When you went through everything you did, you weren't a couple. Everything that has happened to you was when you were just friends. I think you two make it better as friends then in a couple. I can tell you care a lot about her, but maybe you're just confusing your feelings of friendship with lust hence the arguing and confusion."
"Wow." Troy smiled. "That actually makes sense."
"Course it does," Ryan smiled as he took a bite of his chocolate bar. "This is so good." He laughed.
"So what's your boyfriends name then?" Troy asked.
"Brent," Ryan grinned. "Really hot." He added.
"But he's cheating on you?" Troy asked concerned.
"It's a long story." Ryan sighed. They heard the bell ring signalling the end of lunch. "Catch you later wildcat." Ryan winked and headed down the stairs. Troy watched as he went, he just hoped Ryan would take him up on his offer of staying with him and his parents. He'd talk to his parents when he got in and tell them what's going on. He knew his mum would understand, and the school seemed to know what was going on with the Evans twins too so his dad shouldn't mind either. He'd just have to persuade Ryan.
